The Audi TT is Back! Lotus is in Big Trouble. Best Porsche 911? THIS CAR POD! EP76

SUMMARY

Doug DeMuro, Kenan and Filippo host "This Car Pod" EP76, discussing automotive news like the Audi TT revival, Nissan Xterra return, Lotus losses, and market trends in Porsche 911s and Range Rovers.

CORE INFORMATION

The podcast kicks off with excitement over Audi's Concept C, a fully electric hardtop convertible two-seater sports car based on the upcoming Porsche Cayman/Boxster platform, set for production soon alongside Audi's Formula 1 entry. Hosts reminisce about the original TT's revolutionary design from 1997, which introduced bold fender flares and faced backlash for its unconventional styling, as highlighted in Automobile magazine's controversial headline. They note the original TT designer, Peter Schreyer, now at Kia, and express hope that the production version retains the concept's sleek, sporty aesthetic, though they caution about Audi's history of deviating from concepts, like the ugly Rosemeyer. This revival signals Audi's push for sporty vehicles, potentially testing the platform before Porsche's gas-powered versions, amid the end of Boxster production after 30 years.

Shifting to Nissan, the hosts celebrate the revival of the Xterra for 2028 as a body-on-frame SUV with V6 hybrid power, addressing a major product planning blunder when it was discontinued in 2015 just as the off-road market boomed. They highlight Nissan's arrogance in ignoring the demand, while Toyota sold millions of similar vehicles like the 4Runner. This fits Nissan's plan for 20 new or updated models by 2028, including an updated Rogue and possibly an Infiniti variant with a twin-turbo V6. Spy shots show a boxy design with Nissan styling cues, and they praise the hybrid approach mirroring Toyota's success. Additionally, Nissan announced a manual transmission for the Nismo Z after enthusiast backlash, but hosts criticize the delay as too little too late, noting the model's flop with only 12 units sold in two years due to outdated features like a poor backup camera.

Financial woes plague British automaker Lotus, reporting a $263 million loss in the first half of the year, leading to 550 job cuts at UK headquarters despite slight sales growth in China. Owned by Geely, Lotus struggles with tariffs impacting US sales of China-made models like the Eletre, which can't be sold stateside anyway, while paying off development costs for the Emira and awaiting the delayed Evija hypercar. Hosts express astonishment at Lotus's employee count and financial reserves, viewing it as part of the brand's tradition of lightweight engineering paired with money troubles, now shifting under Chinese ownership toward infusing technology into storied Western brands. They praise the Emira as a phenomenal sports car but lament poor value retention and a 44% year-over-year delivery drop, suggesting tariffs provide a convenient excuse for low US sales.

IDEAS

Audi TT revival as electric convertible tests Porsche platform viability first.
Original TT's 1997 design revolutionized fenders, sparking hate mail for styling.
Peter Schreyer, TT designer, now shapes Kia's bold aesthetics at the company.
Boxster production ends after 30 years, potentially shifting to electric version.
Porsche strategy: produce unwanted engines to boost secondary market desire.
Nissan Xterra cancellation in 2015 was worst product planning in modern history.
Xterra revival in 2028 uses Frontier chassis with V6 hybrid for off-road appeal.
Nissan's 20 new models by 2028 include Infiniti twin-turbo V6 variants.
Manual Nismo Z announcement comes two years late after poor sales of 12 units.
Ineos Grenadier price drop of $8,000 signals low demand and high inventory.
Grenadier appeals to rich buyers wanting modernized old-school SUV luxury.
Lotus's $263 million loss leads to 550 job cuts amid Chinese ownership shifts.
Lotus leverages brand heritage to infiltrate Western markets with tech infusions.
Jay Leno's Law fails in California due to emission exemption cost concerns.
Lawmakers lack sophistication, missing revenue gains from historical car registrations.
More legislators like New Hampshire's model could improve constituent accountability.
Ford's recall surge stems from 2020 consent order fining $165 million for delays.
Ford cancels Escape, leaving Lincoln without compact luxury SUV competitor.
Filippo sells Mercedes wagon after 55,000 miles, citing underuse and maintenance.
Kenan enjoys crude 2005 Viper SRT10 for its raw power and enthusiast appeal.
Doug's YouTube hits 5 million subscribers, with 2.26 billion views total.
Throttle House delays Top Gear reboot due to production contracts and staffing.
Doug's PPF on Ford GT prevents damage after scraping house exterior slowly.
991 Porsche 911 emerges as modern equivalent to prized air-cooled 993.
L405 Range Rovers hold value well despite reliability issues, looking wealthy.
Fifth-gen Toyota 4Runner hailed as greatest SUV ever for durability and sales.
Virginia bans radar detectors, mandates dual plates, with harsh speed enforcement.
Conservative states like Arizona aggressively enforce speeding despite anti-government rhetoric.

INSIGHTS

Reviving iconic models like TT and Xterra can recapture market share through nostalgia.
Delaying enthusiast features like manuals erodes brand loyalty and sales momentum.
Price drops on niche vehicles like Grenadier reveal overproduction ignoring demand realities.
Chinese ownership of legacy brands like Lotus blends heritage with tech for market penetration.
Failed laws like Leno's highlight lawmakers' ignorance of enthusiast needs and economic benefits.
Proactive recalls under oversight improve safety but expose underlying quality issues at Ford.
Selling underused cars prevents sunk costs in maintenance for evolving lifestyle needs.
Crude classics like Viper thrive on raw experience, attracting enthusiasts despite flaws.
Subscriber milestones reflect content value more through views than raw numbers.
Porsche generations gain cult status post-production, driving secondary market premiums.
High-mileage luxury like L405 shows perceived value trumps reliability concerns.
Ranking generations favors durable, mass-produced models over early innovators.
State laws disproportionately burden enthusiasts in unexpected places like Virginia.
Birth-year cars evoke personal nostalgia, prioritizing affordable icons over exotics.
Maintenance costs over time justify passion vehicles if enjoyment per mile is high.

QUOTES

"Automobile magazine had it on the cover and it said that the headline was Audi shows us its TTS and that was like they got like a ton of hate mail for that." "A Boxster EV is not a Boxster. Well, the original I'm going to say it. Spoken like a purist." "Nissan has been listening to this podcast. They've been listening to Doug talk about how they should bring back the Extereroa. And boy will they." "The single worst automotive product planning decision in my lifetime." "Don't bother. I was one of the people clamoring right when I reviewed that car because I thought it was insane that they were doing this." "Grenaders are for rich guys who want to like seem like they're like like I think like rich guys want an old SUV but they're like no they're not like ready for that." "I'm astonished that they have 550 employees. Truly, I I'm not exaggerating. I'm I'm surprised to hear that." "Lightweight struggles with money. That is kind of how things go." "The great irony of the whole situation is that all these cars are already here. The cost of California is happening now in lost registration fees." "Lawmakers don't know anything and um it's it when you when something that you know a lot about appears in this sort of situation you start to realize what else are they voting on that you don't know a lot about." "There's not enough legislators. If we had a thousand I looked it up already. That's true. If we had a thousand assembly members or 2,000 like in New Hampshire." "Ford's been recalling a lot of cars. In fact, somebody told me it was the greatest number of recalls in the history of the automotive industry." "It's time to sell my station wag. That's huge. I've owned it for fourish years." "It is so crude and poorly built and not a lot of thought went into design at all. You know, you're constantly getting cooked partially by the the transmission tunnel." "The 991 is the 993 of the modern 911. Meaning the 993 was the is considered best of breed, the best air cooled." "The fifth gen is number one by far. I will accept that because as long as you're not saying the sixth gen is." "Virginia is the worst place in the United States for car enthusiasts." "How do you justify the fact that a 250 TR is $25 million I think that's pretty light for a 250 TR for your point exactly."

HABITS

Hosts reminisce about car history during news discussions for context.
Evaluate concepts against production realities based on past deviations.
Push for manual transmissions in sports cars to satisfy enthusiasts.
Monitor sales data to assess model success and predict market trends.
Critique product planning by comparing to competitors like Toyota.
Adjust vehicle lineups based on inventory buildup and demand signals.
Maintain passion for classics despite financial losses in brands.
Lobby for legislation through media and public awareness campaigns.
Invest in paint protection film to prevent minor damage from scrapes.
Sell underutilized cars to avoid escalating maintenance costs.
Drive borrowed exotics to test interest without commitment.
Celebrate milestones like subscriber counts with view analytics focus.
Delay major purchases until lifestyle changes like family needs align.
Rank vehicle generations by durability and cultural impact.
Enforce personal driving limits to avoid tickets in remote areas.
Tinker with owned cars for maintenance to extend lifespan enjoyment.
Sort potential buys by low price for birth-year nostalgia picks.
Calculate total ownership costs including repairs over mileage.
Host community events to engage fans and test logistical tools.
Use adapters for EV charging compatibility on long trips.

FACTS

Audi TT concept based on Porsche Cayman/Boxster platform debuts 2027.
Original Audi TT launched in 1997, featured in Automobile magazine cover.
Peter Schreyer designed original TT, now leads Kia design team.
Porsche Boxster production ended after 30 years in 2024.
Nissan Xterra discontinued in 2015, revived for 2028 as hybrid.
Nissan plans 20 new or updated models by 2028 including Rogue.
Nismo Z sold only 12 units since January 2024 launch.
Ineos Grenadier SUV price dropped $8,000, starts at $72,000.
Lotus lost $263 million in first half 2024, cutting 550 jobs.
Lotus Emira development costs still burden finances post-launch.
Jay Leno's Law bill killed by California appropriations committee.
Ford paid $165 million fine in 2020 consent order for recall delays.
Ford Escape cancellation leaves Lincoln without compact SUV.
Doug DeMuro's YouTube reached 5 million subscribers, 2.26 billion views.
Throttle House sold LC500 and 911 on Cars and Bids recently.
991 Porsche Carrera sold for $74,000 despite low specs.
L405 Range Rover with 83,000 miles sold for $191,000.
Fifth-gen Toyota 4Runner considered greatest SUV by hosts.
Virginia bans radar detectors and requires dual license plates.
Arizona enforces 75 mph speed limits aggressively on interstates.

REFERENCES

Audi Concept C electric convertible concept car.
Original Audi TT from 1997 Automobile magazine cover.
Peter Schreyer, designer now at Kia.
Porsche Cayman/Boxster platform.
Nissan Xterra revival on Frontier chassis.
Toyota 4Runner and Tacoma body-on-frame examples.
Nismo Z sports car with manual option.
Ineos Grenadier SUV and Quartermaster pickup.
Lotus Emira and Evija hypercar projects.
Jay Leno's Law California emission exemption bill.
Audi RS6 plug-in hybrid wagon.
Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair compact SUVs.
Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG W211 wagon.
Dodge Viper SRT10 third generation 2005.
Throttle House YouTube channel and Top Gear reboot.
Ford GT with paint protection film (PPF).
Porsche 991 and 993 generations.
Range Rover L405 2013-2020 models.
Toyota 4Runner generations one through six.
BMW E39 M5 and CT5-V Blackwing sedans.
Ferrari 355 and 456 GTA.
Cars and Bids auction site for sales.
ExpressVPN for online security.
PrizePicks daily fantasy sports app.
Square payment processing tools.
DeleteMe personal data removal service.

HOW TO APPLY

Research concept cars' production fidelity by reviewing past Audi deviations like Rosemeyer.
Advocate for model revivals by vocalizing demand on podcasts or social media.
Plan vehicle purchases around hybrid powertrains for off-road efficiency like Xterra.
Monitor sales data before adding enthusiast features to avoid flops like Nismo Z.
Negotiate price drops on niche vehicles by tracking inventory at local dealers.
Cut jobs strategically during financial losses to focus on core development like Lotus.
Lobby lawmakers via letters and media for bills benefiting historical vehicles.
Comply with consent orders by proactively issuing recalls on potential issues.
Sell high-mileage cars on auction sites like Cars and Bids when underused.
Borrow exotics from investors to test drive without ownership commitment.
Celebrate channel milestones by analyzing views over subscriber counts.
Delay content production for quality staffing in projects like Top Gear reboots.
Apply PPF to exotics for protection against low-speed scrapes on structures.
Invest in 991 Porsche manuals for potential appreciation as last NA models.
Choose L405 Range Rovers for affordable luxury appearance despite maintenance.
Rank SUV generations by sales volume and durability for purchase decisions.
Avoid driving in states like Virginia with strict enthusiast-unfriendly laws.
Justify prices by comparing total ownership costs over mileage driven.
Select birth-year cars via low-price sorting on auction platforms.
Maintain passion vehicles by calculating cost per mile including all repairs.
Use adapters for EV supercharger access on cross-country trips.

ONE-SENTENCE TAKEAWAY

Reviving icons like TT and Xterra boosts enthusiasm amid industry shifts and financial woes.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Revive discontinued models with hybrid power for renewed market interest.
Launch manuals from day one to capture enthusiast demand early.
Drop prices aggressively on overstocked niche vehicles to clear inventory.
Infuse legacy brands with modern tech under new ownership strategies.
Increase legislator numbers for better accountability on auto bills.
Issue proactive recalls under oversight to rebuild consumer trust.
Sell underused wagons when family needs shift to compact options.
Drive crude classics like Vipers for raw, engaging ownership experiences.
Focus content growth on views rather than subscriber vanity metrics.
Buy 991 Porsche manuals anticipating secondary market value surge.
Opt for high-mileage L405s for cost-effective wealthy appearance.
Prioritize fifth-gen 4Runners for unmatched SUV durability and resale.
Avoid enthusiast-hostile states like Virginia for daily driving.
Calculate lifetime costs before dismissing maintenance-heavy classics.
Choose affordable birth-year icons over unattainable exotics.

MEMO

In the latest episode of This Car Pod, hosted by automotive enthusiast Doug DeMuro alongside Kenan and Filippo, the trio dives into electrifying news: Audi's revival of the iconic TT as the fully electric Concept C, a hardtop convertible poised for 2027 production on the shared Porsche Cayman/Boxster platform. This move aligns with Audi's Formula 1 ambitions, echoing the original 1997 TT's revolutionary design that redefined fender flares and sparked controversy. While purists lament the end of gas-powered Boxsters after 30 years, the hosts speculate on an electric future, critiquing Porsche's strategy of producing initially unpopular engines to fuel secondary market hype.

Nissan's bold pivot grabs attention with the 2028 Xterra comeback, a body-on-frame hybrid SUV addressing the disastrous 2015 discontinuation that ignored booming off-road demand—while Toyota cashed in millions via the 4Runner. Part of Nissan's 20-model refresh by 2028, including a potential Infiniti twin-turbo variant, this revival uses the Frontier chassis for rugged appeal. However, the delayed manual for the Nismo Z draws fire as too little, too late, with only 12 units sold amid outdated features, underscoring product planning pitfalls in a Supra-dominated market.

Financial turbulence hits Lotus, posting a staggering $263 million half-year loss and slashing 550 UK jobs under Geely ownership, despite China sales upticks and the acclaimed Emira sports car. Tariffs block US sales of China-built models like the Eletre, while development debts linger from the delayed Evija hypercar. The hosts view this as classic Lotus—lightweight innovation clashing with fiscal woes—now leveraging brand heritage for Chinese tech infusion into Western markets. Meanwhile, Ineos slashes Grenadier prices by $8,000 amid inventory gluts, targeting affluent buyers seeking modernized old-school SUVs without restoration hassles.

Regulatory drama unfolds with Jay Leno's Law stalling in California, denying emission exemptions for vehicles over 35 years old due to bureaucratic cost fears, despite untapped registration revenue from already-roaming classics. The panel blasts lawmakers' ignorance, advocating for more legislators like New Hampshire's model for true accountability. Ford's recall frenzy, the industry's largest ever, stems from a $165 million 2020 penalty, prompting proactive fixes and the Escape's cancellation, leaving Lincoln's luxury lineup gap-toothed. Personal tales shine: Filippo eyes selling his high-mileage Mercedes wagon for underuse, Kenan raves about a crude 2005 Viper's raw thrill, and Doug celebrates 5 million YouTube subscribers amid Throttle House's Top Gear delays.

Market insights favor the Porsche 991 as the modern 993 equivalent, with manuals appreciating as the last naturally aspirated era before turbo luxury shifts. L405 Range Rovers defy reliability knocks, fetching premium prices for their opulent aging grace. The fifth-gen 4Runner reigns supreme for durability, while Virginia emerges as the worst enthusiast state with radar bans and taxes. Birth-year picks lean affordable like '94 Saabs, and Kenan defends his E39 M5's costs over a CT5-V Blackwing, proving passion's per-mile value endures in an electrifying industry.